Chapter 4: 2
Types of conceit

Conceit is an internal feeling of self-admiration and self-importance, which subsequently may lead to pride and arrogance. Conceit or egotism is the feeling of self importance while pride is a sensation of superiority above others.

This felling is born small and insignificant then it grows up gradually in parallel with the continuous accomplishments in life. It’s a deceptive feeling; one might not feel himself sick with conceit and pride.

No one is immune against this hidden disease which involves everyone but in different degrees. This disease has dangerous consequences that can damage people psychologically and spiritually: That’s why, the Holy Bible has warned us saying: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs16:18) It’s not only a sensation or a feeling but it’s a sin that God despises and dislikes. It is Satan’s sin that made him fall and lose his rank as Angel.

Conceit or egotism might not be the result of reaching high financial standing and capabilities or personal achievements, but it might affect the believers if they are proud of their spiritual talents. That was the reason why God has given Paul a thorn in the flesh to protect him from this disease."To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

A person maybe more liable to this disease, if he achieves many accomplishments in a short period of time. There are many forms of conceit and pride and we are going to meditate together on some of them.

First: Personal conceit (of wealth)
This form of egotism may affect a person when he finds out that he has achieved many accomplishments in various fields, like success at work and attaining a significant position, or having a high degree in education, or having a high income and sitting on plenty of money at the bank, and owning properties. Then when he looks around and sees what he has accomplished, he starts sensing conceit and pride. This sensation appears and comes gradually without feeling it, and then it grows large thus making the person, a proud and a self-admiring person. And subsequently start behaving superior on others, and cannot tolerate criticism or forgive others and accept their apology.

Sometimes, success changes us and deviate our hearts making us heightened and glorified. May God protect us from it and may He reform our hearts into humble ones before Him. And the more God gives us, the more we have to bow before Him.

Second: Conceit within the family
When a husband is successful in his life and has his career booming up resulting in an increase of his income and properties, he feels egotistical and superior over his wife and he might think he deserves a better partner, so he starts magnifying her faults without consideration of her advantages, and this could lead him to look for another partner.

The wife also might carry out same process, and both of the partners might neglect the sacred marriage covenant that was pledged by them before God and before people on the day of wedding, to the effect that they have to be loyal to each other during their whole life. Then happens what God has warned us of, in the old times: "It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel” (Malachi 2:14-16).

It is also possible that the conceit and pride affect children who succeed and amalgamated within the society better than their parents. Their views about their parents change, thus they act up against the family and start opposing their parents’ authority.

Third: spiritual conceit:
Some people are inappreciative and ungrateful to the Lord after He gives them their needs and make them succeed in life .They might even forget Him and abandon the worship.

When someone succeeds in life and becomes wealthy, he turns away and diverts from his spiritual concerns and may have no time to worship or serve His God. His principles and beliefs start to change; he might accept and agree on widespread liberal and modern thoughts, which, in fact are far away from God’s word. That what God has revealed and warned his people of, saying: "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.  Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,  and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” (Deuteronomy8:11-14)

Spiritual pride is sometimes also found within the churches. If an argument happened between two members, one might abandon the church and goes to another one or even establish another new church. Therefore, divisions and meetings increase but with a less number of members.

Dear reader, when God gives you to succeed in your life: learn to convey back the gratefulness to Him and have a pride in Him who granted you all and ask Him to protect your heart from grandeur.

Magdy Samuel